Freetown, Sierra Leone
UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund in Freetown
Job Title: Programme Specialist, Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH), Sierra Leone (P-3)
Job ID: 26995
Location: West and Central Africa
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Role Specification
The Programme Specialist provides technical and programmatic leadership in terms of UNFPA policy and strategy related to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The Programme Specialist, AYSRH contributes to policy making and strategies related to sexual and reproductive/maternal health and their inclusion in the global development agenda. The targets for achieving reduction of teenage pregnancy and child marriage are in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets, as well as national development plans.
Adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health is an integral component of UNFPA’s overall strategy to improve maternal health and ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and the protection of reproductive rights. It includes interventions to prevent teenage pregnancy, child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV) and new infections of HIV.
The Programme Specialist, AYSRH liaises with other technical and programme staff across the Country Office, including the Women’s Reproductive Health Cluster, Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation units, Regional Office (RO) and Headquarters, and with external private and public partners.
The Programme Specialist also contributes to the coordination and management of quality, timely and integrated technical and programme support to the Country Office in the area of adolescents and youth, ensuring that country programme is implemented in the context of: SDGs, the ICPD Programme of Action, and UNFPA Strategic Plan as well as national development processes, frameworks and UN reform.
The Programme Specialist will support the Government of Sierra Leone to develop and implement technically sound policies and strategies aimed at improving the health and overall well-being of adolescents and youth in the country.
The primary duties/responsibilities are:
- Effective management of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health activities under the SLP
- Increase the capacity of the Government to deliver programming to improve the health and overall wellbeing of adolescents and youth
- Increase effectiveness and efficiency in technical and programmatic activities delivered by the AYGC through Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E)
- Contribute to integrated programme management and field support
- Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination.
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Rotation: This post is non-rotational.
Duty Station: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration: One year (Renewable)*
Closing date: 27 November 2019
(*) No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations
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This is a project funded post.
Background Information
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
UNFPA together with UNICEF and WHO have developed a joint DFID programme; The Saving Lives Programme (SLP) to address the health priorities in the PRP. The SLP aims to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s plan for the accelerated reduction of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent mortality and morbidity. The SLP will not only contribute to meeting the short term goals of the PRP, but also strengthen the overall health sector in the long term. The main expected outcomes are:
- Increased use of quality RMNCH services, especially for poor women
- Increased use of contraception especially among adolescents
- Fewer teen pregnancies, and
- Reduced prevalence and improved management of childhood illness.
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Organizational Setting
The Programme Specialist, Adolescent & Youth Sexual Reproductive Health is located in the Sierra Leone Country Office, works under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Country Representative and will coordinate the adolescent sexual reproductive health component of the DfID funded Saving Lives project.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
A. Effective management of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health activities under the SLP.
- Provide technical guidance to plan and implement the Adolescent and youth activities under the SLP project and coordinate Implementing Partners;
- Monitor the implementation of the AYG activities under the SLP;
- Organize and participate in periodic technical reviews of the SLP project as well as programme evaluation exercises specific to the project;
- Assess priority technical requirements of the SLP project and provide technical and managerial support to implementing partners in the implementation of the programme.
B. Increase the capacity of the Government to deliver programming to improve the health and overall wellbeing of adolescents and youth.
- Provide technical support to government for the coordination of the National Teenage Pregnancy Secretariat and the implementation of activities;
- Provide technical support for the development and implementation of adolescents and youth policies and strategies;
- Provide technical guidance for the strengthening of protection institutions to improve GBV case identification, management, referral and follow-up;
- Provide technical assistance to the Implementing Partners and Ministries involved in issues related to adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, girls’ empowerment and participation
C. Contribute to the overall leadership and coordination of the Adolescents Youth and Gender (AYG) Cluster.
- Build the capacity of staff in the AYG Cluster;
- Contribute to good functioning of the Adolescent, Youth and Gender Cluster, including attending regular meetings;
- Support the coordination of the AYG Cluster;
- Ensure timely preparations for the International Days and events;
- Liaise with relevant ministries, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of the ASRH programme;
- Strengthen partnership with donors, in an effort to sustain and raise additional resources for the adolescent and youth programme.
D. Increase effectiveness and efficiency in technical and programmatic activities delivered by the AYG through Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
- Review Country Offices (CO) progress reports & implementation rates;
- Ensure timely production of Annual Reports;
- Contribute to preparation and submission of Country Office Reports;
- Support the quarterly reporting and advancement of funds to Implementing partners.
E. Contribute to integrated programme management and field support.
- Provide technical support for adolescents, youth and gender across the clusters and for partners.
- Contribute to implementation of integrated approach to programming across the clusters.
F. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination.
- Support operations research, provide technical guidance for documentation of the project and collation of lessons learned and best practices that enhance the effectiveness of adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions, and disseminate to stakeholders;
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- Support the Adolescents, Youth and Gender Cluster in the development of case studies, briefs and publications;
- Provide strategic inputs to the analysis and synthesis of trends and research findings in ASRH and other topics of relevance, in order to produce cutting edge technical knowledge;
- Facilitate and help maintain and make accessible data bases on best practices partnerships and consultant rosters and help ensure their accessibility;
- Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and available for application in UNFPA.
Perform any other duty related to the programme as directed by the Representative.
The Programme Specialist works collaboratively with the programme and operations team as well as consultants, advisors and experts and establishes and maintains relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues. S/he must effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.
Work Relations:
Internal contacts include the Representative, the clusters leads and the / operations team.
External contacts include other UN agencies in country, and counterparts and partners in Country Programme activities, including DfID, international NGOs, experts etc.
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Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced University Degree in Social Science, Political Science, Public Health or related field.
Experience and Knowledge
- At least five years of progressively responsible professional working experience at national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field.
- Experience of working in ASRH, youth development and empowerment is desirable.
- Current knowledge of the latest developments in the field of ASRH, Gender and Youth Empowerment.
- Good analytical skills and ability to interpret complex socio-cultural backgrounds as well as quickly obtain an overview of a variety of activities and approaches of national and international actors.
- Experience in developing countries particularly Sierra Leone would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, and team working skills and ability to establish harmonious working relations in an international and multicultural environment.
- Demonstrated ability to transfer and enhance skills.
- Communication skills.
Language
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
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Required Competencies
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
- Communicating for impact
Managerial Competencies:
- Providing strategic focus
- Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders
- Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
- Making decisions and exercising judgment
Functional Skill Set:
- Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
- Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Delivering results-based programme
- Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization
- Providing a technical support system
UNFPA Work Environment
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity in all forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
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Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
Closing Statement
Notice:
There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
Disclaimer
WARNING TO APPLICANTS: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer that makes use of the name or logo of UNFPA, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.
For any questions or comments please contact [email protected]
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